Day 13: Angkor Wat – A Bucket List Dream (and Reality Check)

Today, a travel dream that’s been simmering on my bucket list for over 30 years finally became reality. Angkor Wat—yes, that Angkor Wat—has always felt like a place out of reach, something for other travelers, or maybe just the pages of National Geographic. To finally see it with my own eyes, after decades of dreaming, was surreal, humbling, and, honestly, a little overwhelming.

Confession time:

This is the first time during this trip that my daily travel update is coming in late. The Cambodian heat is no joke! It absolutely wiped me out. After hours spent exploring the ruins, my body was ready to call it a day—and then some. It turns out I’m not 22 anymore (the temples might be a thousand years old, but my knees are feeling pretty ancient, too).

We started with a six-hour morning temple tour. Six hours of climbing steep stairs, ducking, and wandering in the sun. When we finally stumbled back into our hotel room, we collapsed onto the bed and didn’t move for hours. Even the thought of venturing out for dinner felt impossible.

If that wasn’t enough, my stomach decided to join the adventure with a little drama of its own (thanks, possibly, to either the food in Hoi An or the pharmacy’s entire knee medicine department I’ve sampled since Ninh Binh). Travel is glamorous until it isn’t!

But, stomach or no stomach, today was a highlight of a lifetime. Let me tell you a bit about what makes these temples so unforgettable:

The Angkor Archaeological Park: A Lost City in the Jungle

First, Angkor isn’t just a temple or two—it’s a vast ancient city, with ruins scattered over more than 400 square kilometers of forests, rice paddies, and small villages. At its peak in the 12th century, Angkor was home to over a million people and was the capital of the mighty Khmer Empire. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Southeast Asia’s most important archaeological sites.

The main temples—Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm—are just the tip of the iceberg. There are dozens of other temples and ruins, each with history and atmosphere. Moving between the sites takes a good chunk of time, so most visitors (ourselves included) hire a tuk-tuk driver to help navigate the labyrinthine roads and trails.

Angkor Wat: The Crown Jewel

Let’s start with the big one: Angkor Wat. It’s not just the largest religious monument in the world—it’s also Cambodia’s national symbol (it’s literally on the flag!). Built in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat was initially dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, but later became a Buddhist temple.

Walking across the moat and through the main gates is like stepping onto a movie set. The sheer scale is mind-blowing: five intricately carved towers, endless galleries covered with detailed bas-reliefs, and courtyards that seem to go on forever. The walls are decorated with scenes from Hindu mythology, epic battles, and heavenly dancers (apsaras). Climbing up to the upper level, you get a panoramic view over the whole complex and the surrounding jungle. Even with the crowds, it’s easy to see why this place has enchanted travelers for centuries.

Bayon Temple: The Temple of Smiling Faces

Next up is Bayon Temple, which is smack in the center of Angkor Thom, the ancient walled city within the park. Bayon is famous for its mysterious stone faces: 54 towers, each adorned with four massive faces—216 in total—smiling serenely in every direction.

There’s something almost otherworldly about wandering through Bayon’s maze of galleries and towers, constantly under the gaze of these enigmatic faces. Historians think they might be portraits of King Jayavarman VII (the builder), or perhaps the bodhisattva of compassion. Either way, a peaceful energy makes you want to linger (and take about a million photos).

It’s also where I managed to injure my right foot, thanks to a slippery stone step. Yet another reminder that these temples demand respect—and a good pair of shoes!

Ta Prohm: Nature Takes Over

Last but not least: Ta Prohm, a temple where the jungle has staked its claim. If Angkor Wat is a monument to human achievement, Ta Prohm is a reminder that nature always wins.

Built in the late 12th and early 13th centuries, Ta Prohm was originally a Buddhist monastery and university. Today, it’s famous for its massive trees—particularly the silk-cotton and strangler figs—whose roots snake through crumbling walls and doorways. It’s a scene straight out of Tomb Raider (and yes, Angelina Jolie did film here), with ancient stones and twisting roots locked in an eternal embrace.

Ta Prohm is intentionally left in a semi-ruined state, making it one of Angkor’s most atmospheric and photogenic spots. It feels wild, secret, and slightly haunted—a real-life adventure.

One of my favorite sites: The South Gate of Angkor

Angkor: Too Big for One Day

We had big plans to see as much as possible, but the midday heat, my stomach, and some injuries forced us to scale back. Honestly, it’s impossible to see everything in a day anyway. The park is just too vast, and the heat is relentless. If you’re planning your trip, give yourself at least a few days, take plenty of breaks, and don’t try to rush it. The temples aren’t going anywhere!

Final Thoughts

Despite the heat, the aches, and my stomach’s protest, today was an actual bucket list moment. Angkor is one of those rare destinations that lives up to the legend. Each temple tells its own story, and the vastness of the area adds to the sense of awe and discovery.

Tomorrow we’re heading back to Phnom Penh, probably a little sunburned and much more humbled by what we’ve seen. Angkor, you were worth the wait. Now, time to rest these ancient knees!